A FIVE-STAR surprise saw the hardworking team at Darlington’s unique Café JJ tuck into tasty treats they didn’t have to prepare.

Team JJ – who all have learning disabilities – were gifted an afternoon to remember at Rockliffe Hall on Monday.

A random act of kindness saw representatives from Northumbrian Water make a surprise visit to Café JJ before bussing staff to the five-star Rockliffe Hall for afternoon tea.

The company is currently surprising people across the country as part of their Customer Service Week celebrations.

Team JJ were chosen to receive a surprise after impressing Northumbrian Water with their community spirit.

Val Hutchinson, founder of Café JJ, said: “This was an enormous surprise, it was kept a real secret and we are very grateful.

“Everyone was excited – they’ve known for a week that there was some kind of surprise coming but just knew they had to wear posh clothes.

“It is so nice for them to be shown appreciation and a great opportunity to come to Rockliffe Hall.”

Team members Louise Hindmarch, Emma Watson and Cheryl Cordier said the experience had been exciting.

Ms Watson added: “It was a lovely surprise and very exciting to come.

“I’ve been to the park at Rockliffe Hall before with my mum and dad but never had my tea there.”

Northumbrian Water employee Michelle Delaney was one of those in on the surprise.

She said: “Everyone at Café JJ does fantastic work and they all serve their community.

“We are doing this because we want people to feel special and making people feel special is what the people at Café JJ do every day.

“I feel proud to be part of something like this, it’s all about giving something back to the community.”

A spokeswoman for Rockliffe Hall added: “We were delighted Northumbrian Water chose Rockliffe Hall as the venue to surprise the team with their random act of kindness.

“The Rockliffe Hall team thoroughly enjoyed hosting their afternoon tea.”

Cafe JJ opens at the Clifton Community Centre every Tuesday.